Teatown Lake Reservation. Photo by Ryan Noel.

Throw on your winter gear and head out to these Westchester parks and preserves for a brisk wintertime hike.

Don’t let the cold weather stop you from lacing up your hiking boots and exploring Westchester’s backyard. Some hiking trails even thrive in the winter with seasonal animals peeking their heads out and snowflakes garnishing the trees. There are plenty of trails in Westchester that remain suitable through the cold months, here are a few we picked out for you and your hiking buddies!

Teatown

1600 Spring Valley Rd, Ossining

Teatown not only has 15 miles of trails open annually from dawn until dusk, but the reservation offers the community a space to learn about local wildlife. Hikers can choose their trail difficulty, each comprised of diverse terrain, habitats, lakes, swamps, and more. Along with walking through the preserve, they offer programs including a “Winter Tree Walk” and “Women Take to the Trails” hike. Keep your eyes open for some little creatures!

Rockefeller State Park

125 Phelps Way, Pleasantville

Since the Rockefeller Family donated over 1771 acres to the state, thousands of hikers, runners, and even carriage drivers have appreciated the land year-round. The 45 miles of land are easy to walk in, making it the perfect terrain for the winter months. Did we mention the trail has unreal views!

Henry Morgenthau Preserve

82 Pound Ridge Road, Pound Ridge

Who doesn’t love a good stroll around a frozen lake? The 36-acre preserve borders the Blue Heron Lake and lays underneath a canopy of identifiable trees. For those who appreciate a good forest community, there are four that make up the preserve: the Sugar Maple Forest, Oak-Hickory Forest, Red Maple Swamps, and White Pine Plantations. Along with the trees, there are plenty of features throughout the trails to appreciate.

Cranberry Lake Preserves

1609 Old Orchard St, North White Plains

Throw on your snow boots and hike the trails neighboring the Kensico Dam. The 5 trails weave around both Cranberry Lake and South Pond. The Red Loop takes you around the perimeter of the park for a 2.4-mile hike. The Blue Loop is a light mile hike that highlights the two bodies of water.

Turkey Mountain Nature Preserve

363 Underhill Ave, Yorktown

Following your uphill trek to the summit, you’ll be met with stunning views of Westchester County, and boy does it look remarkable in the winter. Hikers can journey through one of the two trails. The Blue trail is 1.4 miles and will lead you gradually up to the views. While the White trail is slightly shorter at .7 of a mile, however it’s the steeper option to the views.

Related: Inside the New David Rockefeller Creative Arts Center in Tarrytown